The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey commenced operation on January 1, 2004.  Its creation coincided with the celebration of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey celebrating it 70^th year of providing health care services and coverage to New Jersey residents.  The Foundation was launched to help the company fulfill its tradition of caring for others by supporting charitable organizations that share its goal of improving the quality of life for residents and communities throughout the state.

"We have long believed it is important for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, as the state's oldest and largest health insurer, to give back to the community and to share our success as a company with the people who have been our customers and neighbors all these years," said William J. Marino, president and CEO of Horizon BCBSNJ.

The Foundation’s funding areas are health and the arts.  As of January 1, 2010, the Foundation has made nearly 500 grant awards to New Jersey nonprofit organizations totaling more than $18 million.

In addition to funding projects initiated by non profit organizations and submitted for consideration through the Foundation’s online grant application system, the Foundation develops its own signature initiatives.  Examples include Healthy U, an obesity-prevention program serving more than 18,000 children throughout New Jersey and the Health Center Initiative that has supported 20 Federally Qualified Health Centers and independent health centers across the state. To learn more about these programs, click on the program name on the navigation bar to the left.